whistled, and crowed like cocks, and mewed like cats-the last two being accomplishments in which Titmouse was very eminent-and again took to their heels. Then they contrived to twist a few knockers off doors, pull bells, and break a few windows; and, while exercising their skill in this last branch of the night's amusement, Titmouse, in the very act of aiming a stone which took effect in the middle of a bed-room window, was surprised by an old watchman waddling round the corner. He was a feeble asthmatic old man; so Suap knocked him down at once, and Titmouse blew out the candle in his lantern, which he then jumped upon and smashed to pieces, and knocked his hat over his eyes. Snap, on some strange unaccountable impulse, wrested the rattle out of the poor creature's hand, and sprung it loudly. This brought several other old watchmen from different quarters; and aged numbers prevailing against youthful spirit-the two gentlemen, after a considerable scuffle, were overpowered and conveyed to the cage. Snap having muttered something about demanding to look at the warrant, and then about a malicious arrest and false imprisonment, sunk on a form, and then down upon the floor, and fell fast asleep. Titmouse, for a while, showed a very resolute front, and swore a great many oaths, that he would fight the Boots at the inn for five shillings, if he dared show himself; but all of a sudden, his spirit collapsed, as it were, and he sunk on the floor, and was grievously indisposed for some hours. About nine o'clock, the contents of the cage, viz., Snap, Titmouse, two farmers' boys who had been caught stealing cakes, an old beggar, and a young pick-pocket, were conveyed before the Lord Mayor, to answer for their several misdeeds. Snap was wofully crestfallen. He had sent for the landlord of the inn where they had put up, to come, on their behalf, to the Mansion- House; but he told Quirk of the message he had received. Mr Quirk, finding that Gammon could not leave his room through severe indisposition-the very first time that Mr Quirk had ever seen or heard of his being so overtaken, set off in a very mortified and angry mood, in quest of his hopeful client and junior partner. They were in a truly dismal pickle. Titmouse pale as

death, his clothes disordered, and one of his shirt-collars torn off; Snap sat beside him with a sheepish air, looking as if he could hardly keep his eyes open. At him Mr Quirk looked with keen indignation, but spoke not to him nor for him: for Titmouse, however, he expressed great commiseration, and entreated his Lordship to overlook the little misconduct of which he (Titmouse) in a moment of extreme excitement, had been guilty, on condition of his making amends for the injury, both to person and property, of which he had been guilty. By this time his Lordship had become aware of the names and circumstances of the two delinquents; and, after lecturing them very severely, he fined them five shillings a-piece for being drunk, and permitted them to be discharged, on their promising never to offend in the fike way again, and paying three pounds by way of compensation to the watchman, and one or two persons whose knockers they were proved to have wrenched off, and windows to have broken. His Lordship had delayed the case of Messrs Snap and Titmouse to the last; chiefly because, as soon as he had found out who Mr Titmouse was, it occurred to him that he would make a sort of little star at the great ball to be given by the Lady Mayoress that evening. As soon, therefore, as the charge had been disposed of, his Lordship desired Mr Titmouse to follow him, for a moment, to his private room. There, having shut the door, he gently chided Mr Titmouse for the indiscretion of which he had been guilty, and of which it was not to have been expected that a gentleman of his consequence in the county would be guilty. His Lordship begged him to consider the station which he was now called to occupy; and, in alluding to the signal event of the preceding day, warmly congratulated him upon it: and, by the way, his Lordship trusted that Mr Titmouse would, in the evening, favour the Lady Mayoress and himself with his company at the ball, where they would be very proud of the opportunity of introducing him to some of the gentry of the county, amongst whom his future lot in life was likely to be cast. Mr Titmouse listened to all this as if he were in a dream. His brain (the little of it that he had,) was yet in a most unsettled state; as

also was his stomach. When he heard the words "Lady Mayoress," "ball," "mansion-house," "gentry of the county," and so forth, a dim vision of splendour flashed before his eyes; and with a desperate effort, he assured the Lord Mayor that he should be very uncommon proud to accept the invitation, if he were well enough-but just then he was uncommon ill.

Mr Quirk,

His Lordship pressed him to take a glass of water, to revive him and settle his stomach; but Mr Titmouse declined it, and soon afterwards quitted the room; and, leaning on the arm of Mr Quirk, set off homeward-Snap walking beside him in silence, with a very quaint disconcerted air-not being taken the least notice of by Mr Quirk. As they passed along, they encountered several of the barristers, on their way to court, and others, who recognised Titmouse; and with a smile, evidently formed a pretty accurate guess as to the manner in which the triumph of the preceding day had been celebrated. finding that Mr Gammon was far too much indisposed to think of quitting York, at all events till a late hour in the evening, and, indeed, that Titmouse was similarly situated--with a very bad grace consented to them stopping behind; and himself, with Snap-the former inside, the latter outside-having settled with most of the witnesses, leaving the remainder, with their own expenses at the inn, to be settled by Mr Gammon-set off for town by the two o'clock coach. It was, indeed, high time for them to return; for the distressed inmates of Newgate were getting wild on account of the protracted absence of their kind and confidential advisers. When they left, both Gammon and Titmouse were in bed. The former, however, began to revive, shortly after the coach which conveyed away his respected co-partners, and the guard's horn had ceased to be heard; and about an hour afterwards he descended from his room, a great deal the better for the duties of the toilette, and a bottle of soda-water with a little brandy in it. A cup of strong tea, and a slice or two of dry toast, set him entirely to rights, and then Gammon-the calm, serene, astute Gammon-was "himself again." Had he said any thing indiscreet, or in any way committed himself, over night? -thought he, as he sate alone, with

folded arms, trying to recollect what had taken place. had taken place. He hopednot-but had no means of ascertaining. Then he entered upon a long and anxious consideration of the position of affairs, since the great comet of the preceding evening. The only definite object which he had had in view, personally, in entering into the affair, was the obtaining that ascendency over Titmouse, in the event of his becoming possessed of the magnificent fortune they were in quest of for him, which might enable him, in one way or another, to elevate his own position in society, and secure for himself permanent and solid advantages. In the progress of the affair, however, new views presented themselves to his mind.

Towards the close of the afternoon, Titmouse recovered sufficiently to make his appearance down stairs. Soon afterwards, Gammon proposed a walk, as the day was fine, and the brisk fresh country air would be efficacious in restoring Titmouse to his wonted health and spirits. His suggestion was adopted; and soon afterwards might have been seen, Gammon, supporting on his arm his languid and interesting client Mr Titmouse, making their way to the river; along whose quiet and pleasing banks they walked for nearly a couple of hours, in close conversation; during which, Gammon, by repeated and various efforts, succeeded in producing an impression on Titmouse's mind, that the good fortune which seemed now within his reach, had been secured for him by the enterprise, skill, and caution of one, Mr Gammon, only; who would, moreover, continue to devote himself to Mr Titmouse's interests, and protect him from the designs of those who would endeavour to take advantage of him. Mr Gammon also dropped one or two vague hints that his Titmouse's-continuance in the enjoyment of the Yatton property, would always depend upon the will and power of him, the aforesaid Gammon; in whose hands were most unsuspected, but potent weapons.-And indeed it is not at all impossible that such may prove to be really the case.

What a difference is there between man and man, in temper, and disposition, and intellect! Compare together the two individuals now walking slowly, arm-in-arm, beside the sweet

Ouse; and supposing one to have designs upon the other-disposed to ensnare and over-reach him-what chance has the shorter gentleman? Compare even their countenances what a difference!

Gammon heard with uneasiness of Titmouse's intention to go to the Lady Mayoress's ball that evening; and, for many reasons, resolved that he should not. In vain, however, did Gammon try to persuade him that he was asked only to be turned into ridicule, for that almost every body there would be in the interest of the Aubreys, and bitterly opposed to him, Mr Titmouse; in spite of these and all other representations, Titmouse expressed his determination to go to the ball: on which Gammon, with a good-natured smile, exclaimed, "Well, well!"-and withdrew his opposition. Shortly after their return from their walk, they sate down to dinner; and Gammon, with a cheerful air, ordered a bottle of champagne, of which he drank about a glass and a half, and Titmouse the remainder. That put him into a humour to take more wine, without much pressing; and he swallowed, in rapid succession, a glass of ale, and seven or eight glasses of port and sherry. By this time he had forgotten all about the ball, and clamoured for brandy and water. Gammon, however, saw that his end was answered. Poor Tit mouse was becoming rapidly more and more helpless; and within half an hour's time, was assisted to his bedroom in a very sad state. Thus Gammon had the satisfaction of seeing his benevolent design accomplished, al. though it pained him to think of the temporary inconvenience occasioned to the unconscious sufferer; who had, however, escaped the devices of those who wished publicly to expose his in. experience; and as for the means which Gammon had resorted to in order to effect his purpose,-why, he may be supposed to have had a remoter object in view, early to disgust him with intemperance.

Alas! how disappointed were the Mayor and Mayoress, that their queer little lion did not make his appearance in the gay and brilliant scene! How many had they told that he was coming! The three daughters were almost bursting with vexation and as tonishment. They had been disposed to entertain a warmer feeling than that

of mere curiosity towards the new owner of an estate worth ten thousand a-year—had drawn lots which of them was first to dance with him; and had told all their friends on which of them the lot had fallen: Then, again, many of the county people enquired, from time to time, of the chagrined little mayor and mayoress, when Mr "Ticklemouse," "Mr Tipmouse," "Mr Tipplebattle," or "whatever his name might be," was coming; full of real curiosity, much tinctured, however, with disgust and contempt, to see the interesting stranger, who had suddenly acquired so commanding a station in the county, so strong a claim to their sympathy and respect.

Then, again, there was a very great lion there, exhibiting for a short time only, who also wished to see the little lion, and expressed keen regrets that it was not there according to appointment. The great lion was Mr Quicksilver, who had stepped in for about half-an-hour, merely to show himself; and when he heard of the expected arrival of his little client, it occurred to Mr Quicksilver, who could see several inches beyond by no means a short nose, that Mr Titmouse had gained a verdict which would very soon make him patron of the borough of Yattonthat he probably would not think of sitting for the borough himself, and that a little public civility bestowed upon Mr Titmouse, by the great Mr Quicksilver, one of the counsel to whose splendid exertions he was indebted for his all, might be, as it were, bread thrown upon the waters, to be found after many days. It was true that Mr Quicksilver, in a bitter stream of eloquent invective, had repeatedly denounced the system of close and rotten boroughs; but his heart, all the while, secretly rebelled; and he knew that a snug borough was a thing on every account not to be sneezed at. He sate for one himself, though he had also contested several counties: but that was expensive and harassing work; and the borough for which he at present sate, he had paid far too high a price for. He had no objection to the existence of close boroughs; but only to so many of them being in the hands of the opposite party and the legislature hath since recognised the distinction, and acted upon it. Here, however, was the case of a borough which was going to change

hands, and pass from Tory to Whig; and could Mr Quicksilver fail to watch it with interest. Was he, therefore, to neglect this opportunity of slipping in for Yatton-and the straw moving, too, in term-a general election looked for? So Mr Quicksilver really regret ted the absence of his little friend and client, Mr Titmouse.

Thus, and by such persons, and on such grounds, was lamented the absence of Mr Titmouse from the ball of the Lady Mayoress of York; none, however, knowing the cause which kept him from so select and distinguished an assembly. As soon as Mr Gammon had seen him properly at tended to, and expressed an anxious sympathy for him, he set out for a walk-a quiet solitary walk round the ancient walls of York. If on a fine night you look up into the sky, and see it gleaming with innumerable stars, and then fix your eye intently, with. out wavering, upon some one star; however vivid and brilliant may be those in its immediate vicinity, they will disappear utterly, and that on which your eye is fixed will seem alone in its glory-sole star in the firmament. Something of this kind happened with Mr Gammon when on the walls of York-now slowly, then rapidly walking, now standing, then sitting; all the objects which generally occupied his thoughts faded away, before one on which his mind's eye was then fixed with unwavering intensity-the visage of Miss Aubrey. The golden fruit that was on the eve of dropping into the hands of the firm-ten thousand pounds-the indefinite and varied advantages to himself, personally, to which their recent successes might be turned, all vanished. What would he not undergo, what would he not sacrifice, to secure the favour of Miss Aubrey? Beautiful being-all innocence, elegance, refinement ;-to possess her would elevate him in the scale of being; it would purify his feelings, it would ennoble his nature. What was too arduous or desperate to be undertaken to secure a prize so glorious as this? He fell into a long reverie, till, roused by a chill gust of night air, he rose from his seat upon one of the niches in the walls;-how lonely, how solitary he felt! He walked on rapidly, at a pace that suited the heated and

rapid current of thoughts that passed through his mind.

"No, I have not a chance-not a chance!" at length he thought to himself-" That girl will be prouder in her poverty, than ever she would have been in her wealth and splendour. Who am I?-a partner in the firm of Quirk, Gammon, and Snap; a firm in bad odour with the profession; looking for practice from polluted sources, with a host of miscreants for clients

faugh! faugh! I feel contaminated and degraded! My name even is against me; it is growing into a byword!-We must push our advantage-they must be driven from Yatton-he, she-all of them; yes, all." He paused for a long time, and a sort of pang passed through his mind. "They are to make way for-Titmouse-for Titmouse!! And he, too, loves her—bah!” He involuntarily uttered this sound fiercely, and aloud, "But stay-he really is in love with Miss Aubrey-that I know ;ah!-I can turn it to good purpose; it will give me, by the way, a hold upon the little fool;-I will make him believe that through my means he may obtain Miss Aubrey! Misery may make her accessible: I can easily bring myself into contact with them, in their distress; for there are the mesne profits the mesne profits! My God! how glorious, but how dreadful an engine are they! They will help to batter down the high wall of pride that surrounds them and her; but it will require infinite care and tact in the use of such an engine! I will be all delicacy-gentleness-generosity; I will appear friendly to her, and to her brother; and, if needs must be, why, he must be crushed. There is no help for it. He looks decidedly a man of intellect. I wonder how he bears it, how they all bear it, how she bears it! Beggared beauty—there's something touching in the very sound! How little they think of the power that is at this moment in my hands!" Here a long interval elapsed, during which his thoughts had wandered towards more practical matters. they don't get a rule nisi, next term, we shall be in a position to ask them what course they intend to pursue Gad, they may, if so disposed, hold out for-how very cold it is!" He buttoned his coat" and, what have I

"If

been thinking of? Really I have been dreaming; or am I as great a fool as Tittlebat?" Within a few minutes' time he had quitted the walls, and descended, through one of the turreted gateways, into the town.

When, about seven o'clock on the morning after the delivery of the verdict, which, if sustained, consigned the Aubreys to beggary, they met to partake of a slight and hasty breakfast before setting off for Yatton; the countenances of each bore the traces of great suffering, and also of the efforts made to conceal it. They saluted each other with fervent affection, each attempting a smile-but a smile, how wan and forced! "The moment has arrived, dear Agnes and Kate," said her brother, with a fond air, but a firm voice, as his sister was preparing tea, in silence, fearful of looking at either her brother or sisterin-law; "the moment has arrived that is to try what stuff we are made of. If we have any strength, this is the time to show it!"

"I'm sure I thought of you both almost all night long!" replied Miss Aubrey, tremulously. "You have a lion's heart, dear Charles; and yet you are so gentle with us"

"I should be a poor creature indeed, Kate, to give way just when I ought to play the man. Come, dear Kate, I will remind you of a noble passage from our glorious Shakspeare. It braces one's nerves to hear it!" Then, with a fine impressive delivery, and kindling with excitement as he went on, Aubrey began

Or made a toast for Neptune !-Even so, Doth valour show, and valour's worth, divide,

In storms of fortune "*

'Twas kindly meant of Aubrey; he of his wife and sister, and occupy their thought to divert the excited feelings imagination with the vivid imagery and noble sentiment of the poet. While he repeated the above lines, his sister's eye had been fixed upon him with a radiant expression of resolution, her heart responding to what she heard. She could not, however, speak, when he had ceased. For herself she cared not; but when she looked at her brother, and thought of him, his wife, his children, her forti

tude yielded before the moving array, and she burst into tears.

"Come, Kate-my own sweet, good Kate!" said he, cheerfully, lay. ing his hand upon hers, "we must keep constant guard against our feelings. They will be ever arraying before our eyes the past-the dear, in mournful contrast with the present, delightful past-happy and beautiful, and stirring up, every moment, a thousand secret and tender associations, calculated to shake our constancy. Whenever our eyes do turn to the past, let it be with humble gratitude to God for having allowed us all, in this changing world, so long an interval of happiness; such, indeed, as falls to the lot of few. What! shall we shall we not receive evil?" receive good at the hand of God, and

My own Charles!" exclaimed Mrs Aubrey, rising and throwing her arms round her husband, whose coun.. tenance was calm and serene, as was the tone of the sentiments he expressed solemn and elevated. Miss Aubrey was overcome with her stronger feelings, and buried her face in her handkerchief. Shortly afterwards the carriage drew up, and also Dr Tatham, on horseback.

"Good morning! good morning, my friends," cried he, cheerfully, as he entered, holding forth both his hands; "you can't think how fresh and pleasant the air is! The country for me, at all times of the year! I hate towns! Did you sleep well? I slept like a top all night long ;-no, I